COOLVILLE, Ohio – The Mount Holyoke College riding team returned to action for the first time in 2016, competing at the Winter II Tournament of Champions, hosted at Stonegate Farm. The Lyons had a solid showing on the day, placing fifth of 14 teams. It also marked the final tournament in this year's Tournament of Champions Series and after the overall series points were tallied, MHC finished third behind SCAD and Goucher.

MHC opened strong with a win in Intermediate Flat by senior Laura Von der Porten. First year Grace Tice followed with a solid round in Open Fences for third place. Next up in Intermediate Fences, sophomore Maddy Skrak made the most of a tough draw and came out sixth.

Tice got back in the ring for her section of the High Medal flat phase.  This show also featured a Low Medal class.  Skrak was back in the saddle to represent MHC in this new class. Both ladies flatted nicely.

The team competition resumed with senior Stephanie Lewis in walk-trot, who placed second with her excellent ride. Sophomore Sabrina Fox mounted up next for walk-trot-canter and rode her way to a third place ribbon.

They finished up the High Medal flat phase with Mollie Kowalchik and Von der Porten.  Both riders were called back for the fences phase. Kowalchik earned a seventh place ribbon and despite riding well, Von der Porten did not place.

Back in the team competition, first year Daisy Sears took second place in Novice Fences. Next, Kowalchik rode for the team in Open Flat, placing fourth. Junior Sarah Felman rounded out the team competition with a reserve finish in Novice Flat.

MHC is now idle until February 27th when it returns to action at the Co-Hosted Show in Hadley.

Final team results are as follows:

Goucher - 40

SCAD - 40

Ohio State - 36

Penn State White - 30

Mount Holyoke - 29

Virginia Tech - 27

Emory and Henry - 26

Penn State Blue - 25

Show story and photo courtesy of MHC Riding team.